Press Releases
Warner And Kaine Applaud Confirmation Of Marilyn Tavenner
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine today applauded the confirmation of Marilyn Tavenner of Virginia as the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) by a vote of 91 to 7. Tavenner is the first Senate-confirmed CMS Administrator since 2006. CMS oversees Medicare and Medicaid and is charged with health care services for millions of Americans. Tavenner, who has served as CMS Acting Administrator since late 2011, was a nurse for nearly 20 … Continue Reading
May 15, 2013
Sens. Warner & Kaine Successfully Boost VA. Projects In Water Resources Development Act
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) successfully amended The Water Resources Development Act, which passed the Senate today by a vote of 83-14, to resolve issues specific to three important Virginia water projects. One amendment facilitates additional progress on the Virginia Port Authority's multi-year efforts to develop a marine terminal at Craney Island. A second Warner-Kaine amendment provides a technical correction that will promote efforts to restore Four … Continue Reading
May 15, 2013
Kaine Joins Measures To End Military Sexual Assault
Kaine Joins Measures To End Military Sexual Assault WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Armed Services Committee, joined two measures today to combat sexual assault in the military in the wake of continuing reports of increased anecdotal and systemic failures to adequately address unwanted sexual contact within the military. "Rising incidents of sexual assault are unacceptable and require immediate and systemic change in our Armed Forces. Women and men who serve in our … Continue Reading
May 14, 2013
Kaine: GOP Obstruction To Block Budget Conference Is An Attack On Compromise
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, took to the Senate floor again today to call for an end to Republican obstruction on the budget. In his remarks, Kaine noted the proposed budget would replace the sequester cuts in the next fiscal year which have caused 800,000 furloughs of Department of Defense civilian employees this year, including 90,000 in Virginia. "As we've taken steps to begin a budget conference, again and again individual senators … Continue Reading
May 14, 2013
Kaine Statement On Retirement Of Virginia Tech President Charles Steger
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement in response to Virginia Tech President Charles Steger's retirement announcement: "Virginia Tech has made huge progress under the leadership of Charles Steger. I join Hokies in congratulating him for his long and distinguished service and wish the Board of Visitors well as they search for the next President of this fine … Continue Reading
May 13, 2013
Kaine On IRS Allegations: "No Excuse" For Ideological Discrimination
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement in response to recent reports the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) targeted organizations based on ideology: "I am very concerned about allegations the IRS targeted certain groups seeking tax-exempt status on political grounds, including a Virginia-based organization. There's no excuse for ideological discrimination in our system. The Administration should take swift action to get to the bottom of this to ensure those … Continue Reading
May 10, 2013
FACT SHEET: American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act
Background:America's historic battlefields allow us to experience the epic battles that defined our nation. From the Revolutionary War to the War of 1812 to the Civil War, preserving these American historic treasures helps to educate future generations about our rich cultural history and to commemorate the sacrifices made to secure our freedom. Unfortunately, suburban sprawl and haphazardly-planned development are encroaching on many of these significant battlefields. Only about 20 percent … Continue Reading
May 10, 2013
Kaine Announces Bipartisan Bill To Reauthorize American Battlefield Protection Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) visited Slaughter Pen battlefield today to announce his second bill, the American Battlefield Protection Program Amendments Act. The bipartisan bill introduced by Kaine and Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) during the sesquicentennial of the Civil War will preserve historical battlegrounds by reauthorizing the Civil War Battlefield Preservation Program (CWBPP) that provides competitive federal grants to match private and non-profit donations. "I am … Continue Reading
May 09, 2013
Kaine Highlights More Than $2.5 Million In New Resources For Virginia Community Health Centers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine today highlighted more than $2.5 million that's being made available for 24 Virginia community health centers as a result of the Affordable Care Act. Last year, the 24 eligible health centers served 283,906 Virginians. "Community health centers play a critical role in providing quality care to Virginians and are on the front lines of our health care system," said Kaine. "I'm pleased these new resources are being made available to facilities in the … Continue Reading
May 08, 2013
Kaine Criticizes Republican Obstruction Of Budget Process In Floor Speech
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Budget committee, today criticized Republican obstruction of the budget process as they continue to object to appointing conference members. The most recent motion to appoint conferees was made today by Kaine's Budget Committee colleague, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA). During Kaine's speech on the floor, he noted that while there are signs of economic recovery, a budget deal between both houses is necessary for growth. "On … Continue Reading
May 07, 2013
Kaine: “Stakes Are Enormously High” For Air Force To Address Sexual Assault
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Armed Services Committee, pressed top United States Air Force officials in a hearing today on the issue of sexual assault in the military including the arrest of Lt. Col. Jeffrey Krusinski, chief of the Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response branch, on charges of sexual battery in Arlington, Virginia. In his questioning, Kaine expressed his concern over the signal these news accounts send to current and future … Continue Reading
May 06, 2013
Kaine Statement On Passage Of Marketplace Fairness Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement after the Senate passed the Marketplace Fairness Act by a vote of 69 to 27. Last week, Kaine discussed the Marketplace Fairness Act across Virginia including in Roanoke, Harrisonburg, Waynesboro, Falls Church and Leesburg: "Merchants across our Commonwealth play by the rules and collect sales tax but big internet retailers have been shielded from that same responsibility. I am pleased we took a bipartisan step today to … Continue Reading
May 03, 2013
Kaine Visits Business Communities In Northern Virginia, Participates In Winchester Parade
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine visited the Eden Center in Falls Church today to meet with members of the Asian-American business community and discuss the ways immigration reform would have a positive impact in the region and throughout Virginia. Kaine, a supporter of comprehensive immigration reform, noted that an improved legal system would continue to draw talent to Virginia's schools and businesses and develop the state's overall competitiveness. "For years we've been talking … Continue Reading
May 02, 2013
Kaine Meets With Harrisonburg Women Business Leaders, Visits Waynesboro And Charlottesville
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine made stops in the Shenandoah Valley today including a roundtable with women business leaders at James Madison University in Harrisonburg and a downtown tour of Waynesboro to learn more about growing the economy in the region. In Harrisonburg and Waynesboro, Kaine discussed the importance of a business-friendly atmosphere to revitalizing local economies. Kaine also discussed the upcoming vote on the Marketplace Fairness Act to level the playing field … Continue Reading
May 01, 2013
Kaine Meets With Business Leaders In Roanoke, Speaks With Female Cadets In Staunton
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine joined Roanoke Mayor Dave Bowers and members of the local business community today to tour the city's downtown and discuss economic development in the region. During the discussion, Kaine expressed his support for the Marketplace Fairness Act that will level the playing field for small businesses in Roanoke and across Virginia that are a major source of job creation. "I support the Marketplace Fairness Act for two reasons," said Kaine. "First, it will … Continue Reading
April 30, 2013
Kaine Meets With Emporia National Guard Families, Attends Town Briefing With Rep. Forbes
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Armed Services Committee, began his in-state work week in Emporia with families of National Guardsmen and women who were recently activated to discuss ways he can support them in the Senate and thank them for their sacrifices on behalf of the nation. The Emporia-based unit will be the first Virginia National Guard unit to enter federal active duty since last year. "When I sit in Budget Committee hearings or Armed Services hearings and … Continue Reading
April 29, 2013
Sens. Warner, Kaine Join Bipartisan Letter Urging President To Move To Reduce V-A Claims Backlog
WASHINGTON -U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) today sent a letter to President Obama urging him to take action to reduce the current backlog of veterans' disability claims. Currently, the average claim takes over 300 days to be resolved. In the letter, Sens. Warner and Kaine, who were joined by 65 other members of the Senate, cited long delays in cities across the country in making the case for swift action to reduce the backlog. "After a decade of war, and despite the … Continue Reading
April 24, 2013
In Armed Services Hearing, Kaine Raises Skepticism On Savings From Proposed BRAC Process
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Armed Service Committee, today questioned defense officials on their proposal for another Defense Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC) Commission. Kaine continued to raise skepticism at the actual savings such a process would yield as opposed to focusing on other savings like the reduction of overseas bases. "If there have been five BRAC rounds adding up to $12 billion in annual savings that's about $2.5 billion per round in a $3.6 … Continue Reading
April 24, 2013
Kaine Announces Additional Members Of Senate Staff
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine today announced additional members of his Virginia based Senate staff. "I'm proud to announce additional members of my Virginia-based team. This diverse group of very talented individuals performs important casework, constituent services and outreach to individuals and groups around the state," said Kaine. "The appointment of two new regional directors will allow our Danville office to open immediately and a Roanoke office to open soon. I am pleased … Continue Reading
April 23, 2013
Kaine Presses Shinseki On Website Loophole That Delayed Treatment For Virginia Veteran
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Armed Services and Budget Committees, today questioned Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki on backlogged requests to the VA, including serious delays in mental health care treatment Virginia veterans have experienced due to a loophole Kaine recently learned of in a website application form. "I am kind of stunned as I hear that we did not have a credible system for dealing electronically with vets claims until you started to do … Continue Reading
